Sudirman Cup: Ronaldo-inspired Malaysia thrash Chinese Taipei to finish as group champions

The triumph also extended Malaysia’s impeccable win record to 5-1 against Chinese Taipei in the history of the Sudirman Cup.

But more importantly, finishing top of Group C is set to give them a favourable draw in the quarter-finals that begins on Friday.

The national contingent gained the psychological advantage by taking the lead in the mixed doubles through Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, who repeated their Orleans Masters final victory over Ye Hong Wei-Lee Chia Hsin.

It was an absorbing contest dished out by both pairs at a high tempo, and it was the Malaysians who eventually prevailed after recovering from a game down to win 17-21, 21-19, 21-17 after 67 minutes.

Lee Zii Jia made it 2-0 with one of his best performances of the year against Chou Tien-chen to win in straight games 21-14, 23-21, finally ending his four-year losing streak against the world number five.

It was a performance for the cameras from Lee, who first produced a balletic pirouette to win a point he was never expected to get in the first game.

It got better in the second, as the world number eight won two points from the floor where he dived at full stretch to retrieve the shuttle, with his back to a shell-shocked Chou.

After the 52-minute triumph, he once again mimicked Cristiano Ronaldo’s trademark celebration as the national camp echoed with cries of ‘Siuu’.

An impossible save from Lee Zii Jia ??Follow live action: https://t.co/TjoFnU5nd9#SudirmanCupFinals #Suzhou2023 pic.twitter.com/jIgCYHIDe4

— BWF (@bwfmedia) May 17, 2023

Tai Tzu Ying reduced the deficit for Chinese Taipei after producing a masterclass performance to easily dismiss Goh Jin Wei 21-8, 21-10 in the women’s singles.

Goh, who had upset P.V.Sindhu on Monday, was no match for the world number three who carved her open at will to finish the contest in 27 minutes.

Men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi confirmed Malaysia’s outright victory when they shrugged off Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han 21-8, 23-21.

The Asian Championships runners-up confirmed the win when Teo retrieved the shuttle between his legs, much to the Chinese Taipei pair’s surprise that ended in Ong finishing the rally off with an easy kill.

Women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah capped the commanding success with a 21-15, 19-21, 21-15 triumph over Hsu Ya Ching-Teng Chun Hsun.